Well, DAM!!!!

Op Ed by Amanda Rose

On August 29th, at 10:44 AM, I opened my email to find the monthly newsletter from the West Warwick Public Library. As I scrolled through, something small stopped me in my tracks. A tiny little blurb, barely noticeable, caught my eye—not because of how it stood out, but because it seemed almost tucked away, hidden in plain sight. The subject? An announcement for an upcoming public hearing. Now, to me, this felt like it was published only to meet the bare requirement of notice, designed in such a way that most residents would skim right past it. And that’s exactly why it grabbed my attention—because something of such great importance to our town should NEVER be reduced to a footnote.

Actual post in the WWPL August 29th September Newsletter -https://wwpl.libcal.com/calendar/WWPL?cid=18438&t=g&d=0000-00-00&cal=18438&inc=0

So, ya’ll, knowing me as you do, fully expected that I’d have questions. I'd probably wonder why the blurb was so small, why the meeting was occurring on a Friday morning, during a time when most town residents would be at work, and what it meant for the town. So, I did some digging, as I do. This is what I found, after some inquiries to town officials. I first visited the town clerk’s office, to see what I could find about the plans for a proposed Dam. I was directed to call DPW, as they’d be the ones with the answers. Plot twist, WRONG! I even asked if it wouldn't, in fact, be a town planner’s office that would have more accurate information, and I was assured it was Department of Public Works. So, as the town busy body, which I’ve become known by some town residents to be (and have fully and lovingly embraced), I scurried on over to DPW to seek the information to satisfy my curiosity. I was quickly confirmed to be correct by Kevin and Nico at DPW that it was, in fact, the town planner Marilyn who would have this information, and was provided her number.

I quickly called, knowing how early our town offices close, particularly with the start of St. Anthony's feast (not so lovingly referred to as the “Lala” by town residents) and the surrounding festivities about to start within hours. Marilyn Shellman, in planning, gave me the information that the plan includes a property in West Warwick owned by Justin Bristol, to utilize his own land listed at 96 Pulaski Street. How generous of Justin! She also provided the names of the businesses associated with the proposed hydroelectric dam project, WW Op Zone Fund 1, LLC as well as One Drop Hydro, LLC. To be perfectly clear, by all accounts, Bristol doesn’t live in town, he simply purchased a 96 Pulaski St 1.25 - 3.89 Acres of Industrial Land located in West Warwick. This is one of a handful of similar dam projects proposed and spearheaded by Bristol, with others along the Pawtuxet and Blackstone Rivers. 

Now here’s where it gets concerning. The Lower Crompton Dam Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 15403) is not some small endeavor—it’s a massive industrial build right in the heart of our little town, just steps away from the brand-new playground. That playground was a long time in the making, with the safety gate that now protects the kids having been just installed last week after persistent squawking by myself and others who refused to let the issue be ignored. And now, after all that effort, we’re faced with a proposal that would bring noise, traffic, and disruption right alongside it. What's a more picturesque backdrop to the kids in our town enjoying a state of the art playground, doing what kids do, than a big, ugly, noisy hydroelectric dam? Think Bob Ross could have captured it in one of his famous paintings? 

A rapidly overcrowded community that has fought hard to preserve its quality of life is once again being asked to bear the brunt of outside interests. Property values near the South Branch of the Pawtuxet River could decline, and the riverfront we all know and use for recreation will be permanently altered. The town’s character risks being overshadowed by the hum of turbines and the industrial footprint that comes with them. Worse still, changes to the river’s flow and water levels could worsen flooding issues that residents already struggle with, often with no relief.

But there is more at stake than traffic, noise, or property values. The Pawtuxet River is deeply tied to the history, heritage, and ecology of this region. For generations, it has sustained both communities and ecosystems. I recognize, with respect and humility, that it also carries ancestral significance for the Narragansett Tribe, whose relationship to these waters predates all of us living here today. Projects like this risk disturbing lands, cultural sites, or even burial grounds that may not yet be documented in state or federal records. That possibility alone should give every resident pause.

And when you look at the tradeoff, the imbalance is staggering: the proposed developer seeks to generate profit from Rhode Island’s natural resources, yet the energy benefit appears to be minimal, while the costs are long-term, environmental, cultural, and social. Hydroelectric dams like this are well known to disrupt fish populations, alter sediment and water flow, and create safety hazards in residential areas. They also take away from the everyday life of residents: this past Saturday, I personally saw kids walking down to the fishing piers right near where this dam would be built. Families fish there. Residents walk there. It’s a living part of our community, not just some industrial zone to be carved up for private gain.

So here’s what I’m asking: show up, speak up, and don’t let this one slide under the radar. Decisions like this get made when good people stay home, thinking someone else will handle it. But this is our town, our river, our heritage, and our quality of life. If we don’t speak for it, no one else will.

Mark your calendars, take an early lunch, do whatever you can—but please, come out and make your voices heard. Protecting this land and these waters protects not only us, but the generations that come after us.

What: Public Hearing on the Proposed Lower Crompton Dam Hydroelectric Project

When: This Friday, September 12, 2025 @10am                    

Where: West Warwick Public Library- Nash Room (lower level meeting room)

1043 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893 Telephone:(401) 828-3750